Incense for Meditation

[Quintessence]

Not everyone meditates with aromatics, but for those of you who have, what types of smells have you found the most useful? I'm working on making a list for my own references and you all can be great to help brainstorm.

Ones that I have used myself include sandalwood, lavender, frankincense & myrrh, green tea, and nag champa.

 

[Vinayaka]

sandalwood ... not the strong black kind ... also nag champa

But there also is a memory subconscious effect to smell. (for me) If you had a particular good meditation or bhakti session at a temple, and they used a particular incense, that would recall the memory, too.

 

[Maya3]

I use sandalwood, the beige brown kind, probably the same that Viniyaka means?

I only use it for a few minutes if even then. I don't like a very strong scent.

Maya

 

[Iti oj]

sandle wood frank and mer

 

[SageTree]

nag champa

This.

I really wish I could figure out what incense the Church uses.
Man that stuff is awesome.

 

[Secret Chief]

Japanese. Some are, to me, subtle but beautiful...

 

[Vinayaka]

This.

I really wish I could figure out what incense the Church uses.
Man that stuff is awesome.

You could try asking them.

 

[Quintessence]

Japanese incense can be hard to get. I think I could only get it by ordering online, but when I have had it, it has struck me as good for meditations. Probably because they use sandalwood for the base material instead of charcoal or sawdust.

 

[SageTree]

You could try asking them.

I need to write it down to remember mostly

High Church (Anglican bells and smells) is all new to me.
And I'm a little bedazzled at the end of a worship services,
which is certainly not a bad set of circumstances to find one's Self in.

But I never remember or don't feel it's the time to ask,
I don't know if it's tacky to ask that or not.

Once the communion wine was one of the nicest ports I'd ever tasted.
Now that.... I held off on for sure.

But the incense... that seems more reasonable.
Thanks for reminding me to write it down.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Sandlewood seems the favorite. I fave the scent as well. Also partial to jasmine.

 

[Secret Chief]

Japanese incense can be hard to get. I think I could only get it by ordering online, but when I have had it, it has struck me as good for meditations. Probably because they use sandalwood for the base material instead of charcoal or sawdust.

Yes, I've found it thin on the ground; but the shop I found it in do a postal service too.

 

[Windwalker]

These four I use all the time for meditation. Beautiful incense.

Bharath Darshan: Bharath Darshan Incense - 120 Sticks Box - Amazon.com

Precious Chandan: Amazon.com: Precious Chandan - 120 Sticks Box - HEM Incense: Everything Else

Also Nag Champa: Amazon.com: Nag Champa Incense Sticks 100 gms: Beauty

Also Temple of India: Amazon.com: India Temple Incense - Song of India - 50 Stick Medium Box: Beauty

 

[Quintessence]

Anyone have any experience with aloeswood? It's incredibly expensive most of the time, so I have not had the opportunity. I have seen it suggested in some guides on meditation as a good wood to use.

I will look for the HEM Chandan next time I am at my local ethnic shop that carries some of that brand. I enjoy HEM in general, though at times the aromas from them are a bit strong.

Jasmine is great, but a good jasmine is quite expensive. I only have the diluted essential oil, which does not work as well for volatilizing in a diffuser.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Anyone have any experience with aloeswood? It's incredibly expensive most of the time, so I have not had the opportunity. I have seen it suggested in some guides on meditation as a good wood to use.

I will look for the HEM Chandan next time I am at my local ethnic shop that carries some of that brand. I enjoy HEM in general, though at times the aromas from them are a bit strong.

Jasmine is great, but a good jasmine is quite expensive. I only have the diluted essential oil, which does not work as well for volatilizing in a diffuser.

I find this thread interesting. Personally, I enjoy a bit of incense around the house, but it does nothing for me in meditation. The presence of a flame (candle, campfire, etc.), however, is always a big help. Maybe the scent of burning wood could be considered incense in my case.

 

[crossfire]

Wisteria cone incense.

 

[dgirl1986]

I really like the kamini dragons blood incense. I also love this incense I found (cant remember who makes it) and there is one for air, fire, metal etc. They are like a stick but dont actually have a stick. The orange one smells BEAUTIFUL.

 

[Jainarayan]

Given that I have no sense of smell, it makes no-nevermind to me what fragrance I use. However, I hear that sandalwood and jasmine are nice, so that's what I use. It's not for me, it's for the deities.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Cedar Wood has been my go to from the beginning. I've tried other scents, but I keep coming back to it. It reminds me of a campfire. And well...you know, my name and all. I've often been mesmerized and taken into a meditative state my staring into a campfire, so Cedar wood takes me back there =)

:camp:

 

[The Hammer]

I am partial to Sandalwood, Cedar and Sage blend (reminds me of home), Nag Champa, and Jasmine.
I typically have incencse burning at home while I am there, so I need to reserve a select few scents for meditation purposes, so that I am not accustomed to them.

 

[Mindmaster]

This.

I really wish I could figure out what incense the Church uses.
Man that stuff is awesome.

Generally something called "Pontifical Blend" - primarily frankincense, myrrh, and benzoin with some storax. The company that makes it is called "Three Kings".